A "solitary tradition"

A little girl was born October 18th, 1893 in Preston, Wisconsin to Joseph and Mary Rabideau.  They named her Sylveen Idella.  She was the 13th child and the youngest of the family. Sylveen had four brothers and eight sisters.  I know her as "Grandma".

As a child Sylveen lived in Minnesota  before coming West with her parents at the age of 12 to Coeur D'Alene, Idaho.  As the years passed she went to the community college in Coeur D'Alene and received her teaching degree.  She taught school in Washington and Oregon.

Sylveen met a nice young man, Clarence Batty, in Wawawai, Washington--a small farming community on the Snake River about 20 miles from Pullman.  Clarence told everyone that when the new "school marm" was due to arrive at the depot, his brothers and sisters had it all arranged that he was to meet the train.  Clarence's family was always trying to "match him up".   This time it worked and Sylveen and Clarence were married on March 30, 1918 in Colfax, Washington.

And they lived happily ever after!   (At least I think so!)

Grandpa passed away in 1970 at the age of 82 (just months before my dad passed away) and Grandma went to her eternal rest on April 28th, 1992 at the age of 98!

I remember Grandma's birthday every year with a special rosary said for her intentions. It's one of my "solitary traditions".  Please join me wherever you are today and just say "Happy Birthday, Grandma!"